By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer, and staff
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Justin Fields ran, passed and blocked for unbeaten Ohio State in its latest stylish victory.
And with coach Ryan Day away from the team following his positive COVID-19 test, Fields did his best to fill that role, too.
“It was crazy. It kind of felt like I was almost our coach for the offense,” Fields said. “The guys with me, the leaders we have on offense, it made my job easier.”
Fields threw for two touchdowns and ran for two to lead No. 3 Ohio State to a 52-12 win over Michigan State on Saturday. Haskell Garrett scored on an interception for the Buckeyes, who were able to take the field after a coronavirus-related cancellation the previous weekend.
Ohio State (5-0, 5-0 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) was without Day and a few other members of the coaching staff. The Buckeyes also had a list of 23 unavailable players. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson coached Ohio State in Day’s absence.
Among the players who missed the game for Ohio State were offensive linemen Thayer Munford, Josh Myers and Nicholas Petit-Frere. Linebacker Tuf Borland was also out.
“It was never about me. It was about the team,” Johnson said. “It’s a great honor, but everything I do is for the players.”
Day was made available to reporters after the game.
“I took a lot of notes. I yelled a lot,” he said. “I got really, really excited. On Haskell’s play, I was running around the house. It was not easy. It’s all about the team, but it was a difficult day.”
Now the big question is whether Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan next weekend will be played. The Wolverines did not play this weekend for virus-related reasons.
The concern for the Buckeyes is that they could fall short of the six-game threshold to be eligible for the Big Ten title game.
The Buckeyes are the top team in the East Division. Northwestern clinched the West Division with a 4-0 division record (5-1 overall), two games ahead of 2-2 (4-2 overall) Iowa.
The Wildcats’ game at Minnesota was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Gophers program. They are scheduled to close out the regular season on Saturday at home against Illinois.
Fields scored on two short runs in the first half, sandwiched around a 28-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. Fields also hustled down the field to throw a late block on Trey Sermon’s 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Garrett said his touchdown was emotional. The Ohio State defensive lineman has been able to play this season after being shot in the face while trying to break up an argument on a street near campus in August.
It was 21-0 when Michigan State was backed up near its own goal line and quarterback Rocky Lombardi’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Garrett in the end zone to give Ohio State a 28-0 halftime lead.
“He put his hand up and tipped the ball,” Johnson said. “Pretty athletic, and what a great story. He’s lucky he’s still here. I’m very proud of where he’s at.”
Fields threw a 41-yard TD pass to Chris Olave in the fourth, and backup quarterback C.J. Stroud broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run.
The Buckeyes made this win look easy after what was probably a pretty stressful couple of weeks. Whether Ohio State plays for the Big Ten title or not, this performance should only help the Buckeyes impress the College Football Playoff committee.